Former DA investigator says partner instigated thefts of...

1of2Former investigator Dustin Deutsch, photographed in 2011 during a news conference, faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted of theft of more than $200,000.Photo: Sharon Steinmann, Chronicle

2of2Dustin Deutsch takes his seat in a Harris County courtroom as he stands trial for felony theft by a public servant and tampering with evidence on Tuesday in Houston.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff

Former Harris County district attorney investigator Lonnie Blevins reached up from the witness stand Wednesday and pointed the finger at his old partner as the instigator in the theft of more than $1 million in comics and sports memorabilia.

The thefts came after the power went off at a storage unit in 2012 where the pair was taking inventory of the colorful evidence tied to a criminal case.

"He said, 'This would be a good opportunity to steal some items from the storage unit,' " Blevins said. "Easy to get, easy to put in the car and easy to sell."

It was a damning moment in the trial of former investigator Dustin Deutsch, who faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted of theft of more than $200,000.

But Deutsch's attorney turned the tables back on Blevins, saying he is the one caught selling $78,000 in stolen comic books to a dealer.

"Mister Blevins, as you sit here today, it is your hope that Mr. Deutsch is convicted, isn't it?" attorney Chip Lewis said after an hourlong cross-examination.

"I think so," Blevins said.

Blevins, 42, spent Wednesday testifying against Deutsch in the hopes of leniency in his own criminal case. He has pleaded guilty in federal court to interstate transport of stolen goods.

Deutsch, 44, and Blevins were detectives together, business partners and friends after the duo met at the police academy in 2000.

Lawyers for Deutsch pointed out that he met with the FBI when Blevins would not. They also made clear that it was Blevins' bank accounts that showed spikes and dips in money around the time of the theft. There's been no irregular activity found in Deutsch's bank accounts.

Says they partnered in crime

According to Blevins, Deutsch would only take cash for his half of the profits and also declined to take part in trips to comic conventions in San Antonio and Chicago.

Blevins said the duo were working together when Deutsch began taking inventory from the storage unit. He said Deutsch urged him to help steal about 100 vintage comic books after the electricity went out on July 12, 2012.

He made sure the cameras and sensors were off because of the power outage, before taking anything.

"About 100 comic books were removed by me and Mr. Deutsch," Blevins said. "Mr. Deutsch also took a hockey jersey, an autographed baseball card and a signed baseball."

The evidence belonged to a man who was later convicted of embezzling $9 million from Tedano, an international crane company.

The suspect in the underlying case converted the funds into a long list of collectibles and memorabilia, including a signed Muhammad Ali robe, a copy of the first edition of Playboy and a $900,000 comic book, the first Batman. There were tens of thousands of comic books among the evidence, Blevins said.

"He said a lot of this stuff wouldn't be traced," Blevins said of his partner. "He said, 'There's too much stuff. No one person could keep track of all of it.'"

Two days later, the pair returned to the storage unit early, took another 100 highly valued comic books then waited for other investigators to arrive.

The comics, most of which were in hard plastic cases, had been professionally graded and valued.

"They were put in the trunk of my car again," Blevins said. "My county car."

Caught in Chicago

Blevins is cooperating with a special prosecutor because he was caught selling several comics at a convention in Chicago. After law enforcement became aware that someone was selling comic books that were supposed to be in the evidence cache, the FBI got involved and arrested Blevins.

He pleaded guilty in federal court and faces up to 10 years in prison.

Deutsch maintains his innocence.

"He didn't do it," Deutsch's lawyer, Lewis, has said.

The trial, before visiting state District Judge Terry Flenniken, is expected to continue through the week.